The Lonely Deputy: King's Hill Romance Series, #4

By Sandra Wells

James Theodore Calderon is near his fortieth birthday and is the only one of his friends without a family. His longtime girlfriend ended their relationship to follow her dreams in Hollywood and he was left with a broken heart. He was sure he would never have the family he always wanted. That is until she enters his life.

Deborah Jane Hollingsworth is close to her thirtieth birthday and had just taken a job as a 911 operator is a small town of King's Hill. She had grown up in Janesville, Wisconsin but after her mother passed away she decides she needs a change. After being disappointed by her father and several other men in her life she decides she wants nothing to do with men. That is until he enters her life.

When Deborah and James first meet there is a small attraction but because of his relationship with his girlfriend they ignore their feelings. Of course after his relationship ends they become neighbors and close friends. Their attraction is now at the forefront of their minds. Will Deborah ignore her attraction or give into the temptation. Can James ever trust his heart with another woman or is he destined to just be the lonely deputy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sandra Wells
• Release date: May 4, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393075202

Book preview

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I want to first thank you as my readers and hope you enjoy the story.

To Dalene Dunkerley, for your friendship and support.

To Gina Chipman, for editing and helping me along the way. Thanks for everything you have done and your support.

To JJ Ellis, my author friend, thank for your support and your friendship. Thanks for the help with the book cover. Thanks for all the help you have offered me.

To my husband, Stephen Wells for his love and support through this experience. He is truly a blessing to have in my life.

I especially want to thank God for giving me the courage to go for this adventure and for giving me the wisdom to write this book.

PROLOGUE

July 31, 2010 ~ Janesville, Wisconsin

Deborah Jane Hollingsworth was the only child of Anna Lorraine Hollingsworth and was close to turning thirty. Her mother had worked as a legal secretary for Douglas Langston and after a brief affair, Deborah was conceived. They never married but the man had promised to always be there for his so-called family. However, once the man married and started having kids, he basically pulled away from his daughter. Deborah had been lucky if she had even got a call from the man. Anna had taken on two jobs to care for her daughter and had even helped send her to college.

After being disappointed by her father and so many other men she swore she would never marry or even trust a man with her heart. Sighing, she wiped her eyes and leaned into her good friend Julia Newman as the minister spoke.

They had known each other most of their lives and though Julia had married she never forced Deborah to believe in love.

How are you holding up? Julia asked.

I miss her already.

Just look at it this way, she is no longer in pain.

I know but I still miss her. They sat with her mom’s closest friends and what little family she had as they said goodbye to Anna. After fighting breast cancer for almost three years the older woman finally passed away peacefully in her sleep. The pastor finished the final prayer and the pallbearers were called up to the front. How would she go on without her mother? What would she do with her life?

Almost an hour later she sat in her great aunt’s home as people came to pay their respects.

Deborah, dear, come sit with me on the back porch. I want to talk with you. Nodding, she stood and followed the older woman to the back porch. Have a seat, honey. Again she just nodded and did as she was told. Now that your poor old mama is gone I can confide in you about a conversation we had a few months back.

Okay. I’m listening.

I know you are hoping to stay here with me but your mom did not want that for you and neither do I.

Where will I go?

Honey, it’s time you lived on your own.

I don’t know if I can.

You are almost thirty years old and you have lived with your mama since the day you were born. You need your own life.

But you need me, Aunt Judy.

"I’ll be fine. I have a live in nurse coming to stay with me.

Oh, was all she could say."

You can come visit me but you need to start your own life.

I don’t know what I’ll do.

You know what you can do? Julia asked as she stepped out on the porch.

What?

With all the medical training you have you could either become an EMT somewhere or get a job as a 911 dispatcher.

I have thought about doing that. I think I saw an ad in the paper for a dispatcher but it’s nowhere near here.

Where is it? Aunt Judy questioned.

In King’s Hill.

I think I know where that is, Judy responded. You go on and apply for the job. I bet you will get it.

I’d be living too far from you.

You take the job and I’ll look after your aunt. You can always come home on weekends or your days off, Julia offered.

I guess. Are you guys sure about this?

We are. Now, why don’t you let Julia take you out? You need a spa day or something like that.

Good idea, Judy. Julia chirped.

I just buried my mom and we have people here.

Deborah Jane Hollingsworth, you get your butt up and you go out with Julia!

Yes, ma’am. Just let me change. Her aunt smiled and after hugging the older woman, Deborah hurried up to her room to change.

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Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end. By: Seneca

ONE

August 12, 2010 ~ 11:25 ~ Grant, Wisconsin

Deborah slid into a booth and quickly looked around. She was meeting Chief Dillon Regan for a possible job offer. After sending out her resume to a few places looking for 911 operators, King’s Hill was one of the few that had responded. It was also the closest one to her aunt and she desperately prayed that she would get the job.

Excuse me, are you Deborah Hollingsworth? a man asked. She looked up to see a man in a uniform standing near her.

Yes, she answered as she stood. Are you Chief Regan?

I am, the man stated as he shook her hand. Why don’t we sit down and order some coffee? Smiling, she retook her seat and once they had their beverages Chief Regan took out a manila envelope. I read your resume but I’d like you to tell me about you.

Not much to tell. I’m single with no kids. I just buried my mother and I have only one living relative now.

Your father?

No, I have not spoken to my father in years. My Great Aunt Judy is my only living relative. She lives in Janesville and if I take this job I’m hoping for Saturday and Sundays off so I will be able to go see her.

Actually that works out prefect. My other operator wants to take some time off during the week to tend to her kids school needs. You will have Saturday and Sunday off for sure and will alternate having Fridays off with Carrie. Your hours would be from six in the morning to six in the evening. And you will work a half a day on Wednesday. We don’t have an operator who works at night. If an emergency should arise everyone knows who to call. Do you have any other questions?

What will I get paid and how often?

You will get paid a flat rate of nine hundred a week. You will get full benefits that include medical, dental and vision. Plus you will get life insurance. After ninety days you will get sick days, and personal time off. You will be compensated for holidays and after a year you will be allowed a two week vacation.

Wow, okay. I have had other job offers but King’s Hill is closer to my aunt. If she is ill or something happens to her I would want to be able to go to her.

I understand. If an emergency should arrive, just let me know and I will work things out for you to be with her.

Thank you.

So are you interested in the job?

Very much. When can I start?

You will have to do a little training but I’m looking for you to start by the end of the month.

Okay. Thank you, Chief Regan.

Everyone just calls me Dillon.

She smiled and when she noticed the wedding band she spoke. Are you married?

Happily. We have been together since 2001 and we have three kids. My wife is a photographer. You will probably see a lot of her. Deborah just nodded before sipping her coffee. You said you weren’t married but do you have a boyfriend or a significant other?

No. I’m just not marriage material.

I have three brothers who once said that as well, the man chuckled. You never know what the good Lord has in store for you. Deborah didn’t want to explain her past to the man so she nervously laughed. There was no doubt she would spend her life alone and once her great aunt passed on she planned on seeing the world.

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King’s Hill, Wisconsin

Lisa Thompson had lived in King’s Hill most of her life. She was near her thirty fifth birthday and she was wondering if she would ever be able to leave the God forsaken town that she called home. Why her parents had moved them there was beyond her but here she was living in Hicksville, USA wishing for a change. Her only bright spot was that her live in boyfriend was an amazing lover. Sighing, she sat in front of her TV watching an old romance movie. It was more like a soap opera and it was one of her favorites. She had dreamt for years of becoming an actress but yet the lack of money had kept her rooted in the town she called home.

Lisa, are you here? James, her boyfriend, called out.

I’m in the den.

What are you watching?

"It’s called Singin’ in the Rain."

It’s one of your favorite. Right? he stated as he sat next to her. She just nodded as she snuggled into his embrace. I was thinking of taking you to Sally’s tonight.

I’m not in the mood for that.

What would you like?

Can we go to that Mexican restaurant in Grant?

Sure. Just let me change. Again she just nodded and once he was gone she pulled a throw pillow close to her chest and sighed. She really cared for James but the man was set on staying in King’s Hill. He wanted a wife and kids but all Lisa wanted was a career in Hollywood. Why wasn’t he willing to give up his life in King’s Hill? Was it time to end their relationship or should she give him more time?

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At the restaurant James ordered a bottle of wine and prayed the night would end as he hoped. They had lived together for almost two years and he was ready to settle down. He knew she talked about leaving but he hoped she would change her mind once he proposed. Blowing out a breath, he fiddled with the jeweler’s box in his pocket as he listened to her talk about a charity dance that she wanted to attend.

It’s in Chicago and there will be a lot of top notch people there. A friend of mine is on the committee and she told me there will be a few actors and directors there. I want to go.

Lisa, we can’t afford to go to an event like that.

You never know unless you ask. I’m sure my friend can get us....

I can’t take off right now. We are busy. She blew out a breath and slumped in her chair. Honey, you know I would love to take you but I can’t afford tickets like that on my salary.

Then why don’t you go back to school and become a lawyer.

I don’t want to be a lawyer. I like my job and you know that. We have had this conversation many times. Haven’t we?

Yes but I keep hoping that you will change your mind. The server finally came over and took their order. They sat quietly and he wondered if he was doing the right thing. Was proposing to her the right answer or should he break up with her?

Shaking his head, he finally took her hand and pulled it to his lips as he reached for the box in his pocket. Lisa, I love you and I’d give you almost anything. I want you to be happy and I want us to succeed. I want us to get married and start a family. I’m almost forty years old and all my friends are married and having kids. He opened the box and placed it on the table in front of her. Lisa, will you please marry me? When he decided to buy an engagement ring he knew only the best would do for his girl. Even though he knew he would go broke buying it he had picked out one of the most expensive rings the jewelry store had. It had an eighteen karat white gold band with several tiny diamonds along the band and the setting was a large square diamond.

James! Oh my God! I love this ring, she gushed out as she pulled it out of the box.

I’m hoping that is a yes.

Well of course I’ll marry you, she answered as she threw herself in his arms. After taking the ring he slipped it on her finger and gently kissed her. I can’t believe you bought me this ring.

Only the best for my girl, he stated as he once again kissed her. The server soon brought their meals and though he wanted to makes plans for their future he sensed she was not quite ready. He’d wait because he was sure that Lisa was his future.

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As soon as you begin to pursue a dream, your life wakes up and everything has meaning. By: Barbara Sher

TWO

August 31, 2010 ~ 07:07 am

Deborah hurried into the police station and prayed she would not get into trouble for being late on her first day. She entered the building and Chief Regan was talking to a few of his deputies.

Hi, someone said. You must be Deborah. She turned to find a woman with short auburn hair and green eyes looking back at her. I’m, Carrie.

Oh, yes. It’s nice to meet you. I’m so sorry I am late but....

Don’t worry about it. You are only a few minutes late. I’m usually late at least three or four times a week.

Wow and you have not been fired yet?

It’s a small town. We look after each other here. Besides Dillon knows I have three kids at home.

Are you married?

Yes, my husband is Harry. He is one of the deputies here. He will be in later. Let me just let Dillon know you are here. Nodding, she just looked around the room as she waited. She stood in the middle of the squad room with the desk she was sure would be hers near the entrance. There were several shelves and storages boxes that lined the wall behind her desk. In the middle of the room there was a large round table where a few officers sat. On the other side of the room there was an enclosed office that she was sure belonged to Chief Regan. In the back of the room she saw a few other desks that she assumed belonged to some of the officers. To the right of the desk there was a door that had a sign that was marked jail and to the left of the desks was another door that said equipment room. In the back of the room was a wall of lockers.

Deborah, I was beginning to think you changed your mind, Dillon said as he approached her."

I’m sorry but my alarm....

I was teasing you, he chuckled. Come meet some of the officers. She just nodded and followed him to the middle of the room. Everyone, this is Deborah Hollingsworth. She is our new 911 operator. Why don’t you all introduce yourselves to her?

I’m Detective Conrad Stevens.

I’m Corporal Craig Jamison.

And I’m Corporal Chris Benson.

It’s nice meeting you all.

I have three deputies, three detectives and three corporals on staff. Plus I have you and Carrie.

Where are the other officers?

"Two come in at ten and the others work tonight. You will get to meet them all later. For now I will leave you in the capable hands of Carrie. She